And so the Dyken were chosen over the Elves by the enlightened elder races to join them in the celestial heavens. The Elves would never forget this slight, now only seeking to eradicate the Dyken’s finest creation…humans. –The Prophet of Dust, Jurgen Cromwell.
Humanity struggled to rediscover it’s self. The wonders of the Dyken littered the world. Technology far advanced beyond the reasoning of the primitive human mind. The elder race’s departure caused the world to be buried in dust and storm that lasted nearly a century. The light of human existence dimmed, yet they persevered through the hardship. The humans were forced to take refuge under the earth or upon the highest peaks of the known world.
The humans endured constant attacks by the races created by the Elves. Short and powerful creatures that resembled humans slightly; a mockery of man called Dwarves. Unrelenting monsters of gray skin and murderous appetite called Ol-Gra that roamed the dusty wastelands of the world in search of human settlements. Numerous other species dotted the lands, created and forgotten by the elder races. Left to their own designs both animal and calculating.
The Dyken had formed humans into a caste system, hundreds to thousands; each caste with it’s own purpose and unique talents. After the Dyken’s exodus and the threat of extermination by the Elves the caste system fell apart. Castes were forced to mix and interbreed to survive. The unique talents the humans once possessed as a blessing by the elder race faltered. Occasionally the talent would emerge in a human born and seen as a sign that the Dyken still watched over humanity.
Once the dust and ash had settled humanity began to explore the world anew. History was jagged and often times had to be handed down by oral tradition. Much was forgotten by misunderstanding, or untimely death of the oral historians. Human knowledge of their own origins changed, and the Dyken took on the role of gods. Speaking of the Dyken in any other role became heresy.
The technology of the elder races could not be replicated save for the most primitive of constructs. Simple mechanics and steam power seemed to be as far as the humans could reach for the time being. Slowly and surely the world grew populated by man, discovering other lands and other humans that had survived the once dust choked world.
Leaders of men began to carve out great swaths of territory, forming kingdoms and resettling the lands. Forgotten cities were repopulated and the land settled. In the center of the reformed lands lay the Feista, the crowning jewel of the human world.
The capital of Feista rested upon a plateau, its towering ivory spires reaching towards the heavens, surrounded by ancient walls of metal and stone. Great iron beams spilled over the sides of the plateau, hugging the stone and plunged into the earth below. The capital was called Strider City, for legend spoke of how the city used to walk the land…
Backseat Muse 